Payment system and method for web-based video editing system

ABSTRACT

A payment system for use with a web-based video editing system is provided. The payment system includes: a purchase subsystem configured to: receive a user request for a data-right combination; create a binding indicative of the data-right combination; and provide the binding for purchase by the user; and a preview subsystem configured to provide a preview of data of the data-right combination prior to the user purchasing the binding.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/897,559, filed on Jan. 26, 2007, which is incorporated by reference as if set forth in full herein. This application is also related to the co-pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/897,552, filed on Jan. 26, 2007, titled “Video Downloading and Scrubbing System and Method” (Atty. docket no. 58745), U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/897,558, filed on Jan. 26, 2007, titled “Real Time Online Video Editing System and Method” (Atty. docket no. 58746), U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/897,544, filed on Jan. 26, 2007, titled “System and Method for Editing Web-Based Video” (Atty. docket no. 58981), U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/898,201, filed on Jan. 29, 2007, titled “Image Editing System and Method” (Atty. docket no. 58744), U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/913,204, filed on Apr. 20, 2007, titled “Image Editing System and Method” (Atty. docket no. 59717), and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/915,427, filed on May 1, 2007, titled “System and Method for Flow Control in Web-Based Movie Editing System” (Atty. docket no. 59323), the entire contents of each of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to payment systems, and more particularly, to a payment system and method for web-based video editing systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a web-based video editing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a payment system including a purchase subsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of operation of the purchase subsystem of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a payment system including a purchase subsystem and a preview subsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a screenshot of a graphical user interface of a user communication device in communication with the payment system of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method of operation of the preview subsystem of FIG. 4 according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a payment system including a purchase subsystem and a usage tracking subsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method of operation of the usage tracking subsystem of FIG. 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a payment system including a purchase subsystem, a usage tracking subsystem and a security subsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method of operation of the payment system of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a payment system including a purchase subsystem, a preview subsystem, a usage tracking subsystem and a security subsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a web-based video editing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The editing system includes one or more communication devices 110 each having a graphical user interface 115, a server 120 having a connection manager 130 and a payment system 140 operating on the server, and a network 150 over which the one or more communication devices and the server communicate. The communication devices may include, but are not limited to, a personal computer, a mobile telephone, a PDA or any other communication device configured to operate as a client computer to the server. In some embodiments, a user operates the communication device to purchase or preview data for developing a web-based video to be displayed on the graphical user interface. The network to which the server and devices are coupled may be a wireless or a wireline network and may range in size from a local area network to a wide area network to the Internet. A dedicated open socket connection exists between the connection manager and the communication devices.

In some embodiments of the system, one or more client computers are configured to transmit information to and receive information from the server. In some embodiments, each of the client computers is configured to send a query for information and the server is configured to respond to the query by sending the requested information to the client computer. In some embodiments, one or more of the client computers is configured to transmit commands to the server and the server is configured to perform functions in response to the command.

In some embodiments, each of the client computers is configured with an application for displaying multimedia on the graphical user interface of the client computer. The application may be Adobe Flash® or any other application capable of displaying multimedia.

The connection manager is configured to determine the condition of the server and perform asynchronous messaging to one or more of the client computers over the dedicated open socket connection. In some embodiments, the content of the messages is indicative of the state of the server.

The server is configured to receive requests from one or more of the client computers and perform functions in response to the received requests. The server may perform any number of functions typically performed in the server of a web-based video editing system. The server may also provide a payment system for the web-based video editing system.

In some embodiments, the payment system 140 is executed on the server. In other embodiments, the payment system is executed on a computer that is remote from but in communication with the server. The payment system may be configured to allow a user to purchase rights to use data that the user selects, preview a video containing the data before purchase, track the usage of data, and prevent access to data.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a payment system 140 of the web-based video editing system of FIG. 1. The payment system includes a purchase subsystem 210. In some embodiments, the purchase subsystem includes a processor 212, memory 214 and computer code product including instructions stored on the memory and adapted to cause the processor, and thereby the purchase subsystem, to receive and process user purchase requests. The memory also stores information indicative of the user purchase requests. The memory may be any type of read-write memory, including, but not limited to, random access memory.

In some embodiments, the user purchase request received by the purchase subsystem includes the identity of the user, the data that the user tentatively desires to purchase, and the type of rights for which the user would like to use the data. The combination of the data that the user tentatively desires to purchase and the type of rights for which the user would like to use the data is sometimes referred to as a data-right combination. The user purchase request also includes information indicative of the amount or duration of use for which the user is requesting in the case that they are requesting a data-right combination. For example, a user purchase request may be a request for publication rights to a selected video for use in three interactive videos. Alternatively, a user purchase request may be a request for publication rights to a selected video for unlimited interactive videos, but only viewable during a specific 30 day period. In some embodiments, a user purchase request does not include the type of rights for which the user would like to use the data, but rather a default type of rights or a type of rights contained in user settings is used.

The data may be stored in the editing system server (not shown), the purchase subsystem memory 214 or at a remote location connected to the network of FIG. 1. The data may be data provided by the web-based video editing system or data generated by the user. The data may include video, audio, a still picture, a photo album, a poll or the like. The data may also include elements composed of coding that performs a selected function. By way of example, an element may include, but is not limited to, a right-to-left wipe transition effect in a video.

There may be any number of rights that a user can select for the selected data, including, but not limited to, watch rights, audition rights, poll participation rights, publication rights and performance rights. Watch rights include the right to drag data into an interactive video and view the data in conjunction with other data associated with the video. Audition rights include the right to view a low resolution version of the data alone or in conjunction with other data associated with an interactive video. Poll participation rights include the right to participate in or construct a poll. Publication rights include the right to publish data on the Internet thereby allowing an entire set of video editing system users to view the interactive video creating by one of the system users. Performance rights include the right to perform and have data captured and used in an interactive video. In some embodiments, the user can purchase performance rights to have the user's webcam data captured and used in an interactive video.

The purchase subsystem is configured to create a binding between the user identity, the data-right combination and the amount or duration of the data-right combination. In some embodiments, the purchase subsystem stores information indicative of the binding in the memory. In various embodiments, the binding includes information indicative of the identity of the data. The subsystem may create multiple bindings associated with a particular user.

The subsystem provides to the user a price for the one or more bindings without requiring the user to purchase any of the bindings. The price for each binding may vary according to the data-right combination and the amount or duration of the data-right combination associated with the binding. In some embodiments, the purchase subsystem transmits to the user a running cost total of all bindings that the user has created that the user has not purchased. The running cost total may include data that the user has generated and that is free to the user. In many embodiments, the data-right combination that allows the binding to be used/viewed solely in the development of a work, such as a video, by the user has a price of zero. Accordingly, the user can determine the price for purchasing, publishing, or saving an interactive video while composing the video and before actually purchasing, publishing or saving any of the data of the video.

In some embodiments, the user can select one or more advertisements that can appear in the video. The advertisements may be any number of types of data including, but not limited to, video, audio, still picture, poll, or the like. In some embodiments, selecting an advertisement to appear in an interactive video reduces the running cost total of the one or more bindings. Accordingly, advertisers can subsidize the user cost to create interactive videos.

In some embodiments, the purchase subsystem includes functionality for providing an online store through which the user can purchase the one or more bindings. The online store may be any number of suitable online stores well known to those skilled in the art.

In some embodiments, a listing of the contents of each binding is displayed to the user upon the user transmitting a request for the listing. In some embodiments, a listing of the prices for the data in an interactive video is displayed to the user upon the user transmitting a request for the listing. The listing may display the prices for all data in the video including data that may be free. In some embodiments, data that the user personally creates such as a personal photo album is free. The user may transmit a request for the listing of contents or prices in any number of ways, including, but not limited to, moving a cursor over the running total associated with the one or more bindings.

In some embodiments, the purchase subsystem may also store, update or delete the binding in memory 214.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of operation of the purchase subsystem according to some embodiments of the present invention. The purchase subsystem receives 310 one or more requests from a user. The one or more requests include information indicative of a data-right combination and a selected amount of the data-right combination. The subsystem creates 320 a binding between the user, the data-right combination and the amount or duration of use of the data-right combination. In some embodiments, the subsystem also provides 330 binding information that may be indicative of the price of the binding. The binding information may also be indicative of the data-right combination and amount or duration of use associated with the binding. In some embodiments, the purchase subsystem allows 340 a user to purchase the binding.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a payment system including a purchase subsystem and a preview subsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention. The purchase subsystem 410 is configured to communicate with the preview subsystem. The purchase subsystem is configured to receive and process user purchase requests. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, In some embodiments, the purchase subsystem 410 is configured with the functionality of the purchase subsystem 210.

The preview subsystem 420 includes a processor 422, memory 424 and computer code product including instructions stored on the memory and adapted to cause the processor, and thereby the preview subsystem, to generate information for providing a video editor; and provide a preview of data selected by a user and for which the purchase subsystem creates a binding. The preview subsystem computer code is also adapted to provide the preview without requiring the user to have already purchased the binding.

Further, the preview may be provided before the video is published or otherwise shared with other system users or saved by the user. The preview subsystem may display the data alone or in conjunction with other data in the interactive video.

In other embodiments, the payment system for use with a web-based video editing system includes a purchase subsystem configured to receive a user request for a data-right combination, create a binding indicative of the data-right combination, and provide the binding for purchase by the user. The payment system also includes a preview subsystem configured to provide a preview of data of the data-right combination prior to the user purchasing the binding.

FIG. 4A is a screenshot of a graphical user interface of a user communication device in communication with the payment system of FIG. 4. The communication device is configured to receive information from the payment system and display on the graphical user interface indicators of the received information. In some embodiments, the received information includes available data 450 for which the user may request a data-right combination; and available advertisements 460 that a user may request for use with a binding associated with a data-right combination. The user may also receive information indicative of data 470 that the user has generated such as the data of the user's photo collection, audio collection or video collection. The received information may also include the price 480 for any data and the price credit 490 for any advertisement.

In some embodiments, the received information also includes information for formatting and displaying a video editor on the graphical user interface. The user may select an indicator indicative of data or an advertisement and place it into the editor.

The graphical user interface is configured to display in the editor 440 an interactive video upon an indicator of data or an advertisement being placed into the editor. The interactive video is updated when any content is added to or removed from the editor.

In other embodiments, the received information also includes an indicator 480 that can be activated to create an online store through which the user can purchase the data. The received information also includes a running total 485 of any data or advertisements placed into the editor. The running total may be updated when any content is added to or removed from the editor.

In some embodiments, the graphical user interface displays in various sections of the screen: indicators for one or more data for which a user can request a data-right combination, indicators for one or more available advertisements, and indicators for user generated data. The interface also displays an editor for viewing selected data, a running total of all data and advertisements in the editor and advertisements as a video, and displays an indicator for an online store.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method of operation of the preview subsystem of FIG. 4 according to an embodiment of the invention. The preview subsystem receives 510 a preview request. The preview request may be received from the user or may be automatically generated for the user by the purchase subsystem after the user requests a data-right combination.

The preview request is a request to preview selected data associated with a binding created by the purchase subsystem. The preview subsystem transmits 520 information indicative of the data to be previewed. The received information is processed 530 to display a visual and/or audio representation of the data. The information may be processed according to any of a number of methods well known to those skilled in the art. The processed information is displayed at a graphical user interface of a communication device. The communication device may be the communication device from which the user requested the data-right combination or another communication device.

In some embodiments, the preview subsystem displays an indicator of data and the user can select the indicator and cause the preview to begin. The user can select the indicator in any number of ways including, but not limited to, dragging and dropping the indicator into the editor of the preview subsystem. The user can preview the data alone or in combination with other portions of an interactive video shown in the editor. The user can place the data into the location of interest a timeline associated with the video. The preview subsystem displays the data and/or the updated interactive video. In various embodiments, the preview subsystem can automatically update the interactive video to provide a synchronized audio-visual preview of selected data.

In some embodiments, the purchase subsystem transmits the price information for the data and any advertisements being previewed.

In some embodiments, an online store such as that described with reference to FIG. 2 can be provided for purchase of the binding associated with the data before, after or during preview of the data.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a payment system including a purchase subsystem and a usage tracking subsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention. The purchase subsystem 610 is configured to communicate with the usage tracking system 620.

The purchase subsystem is configured to receive and process user purchase requests. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 6, In some embodiments, the purchase subsystem 610 is configured with the functionality of the purchase subsystem 210.

The usage tracking subsystem is configured to track a user's usage of data-right combinations and determine whether a user request to use a data-right combination is valid. The usage tracking subsystem may also be configured to receive a system user request for data and determine whether the request is valid or invalid. The usage tracking subsystem may also be configured to evaluate the content of an interactive video and determine if requested data is part of the content of an interactive video.

The usage tracking subsystem includes a processor 622, memory 624 and computer code product including instructions stored on the memory and adapted to cause the processor, and thereby the usage tracking subsystem, to track the user's usage and determine if the request is valid; determine whether a system user's request for data is valid or invalid, and, in some embodiments, evaluate the content of an interactive video.

The memory 624 may also be configured for storing information indicative of the user's purchased data-rights combinations and amounts of such.

In some embodiments, the usage tracking subsystem is configured to track a user's usage of a data-right combination by assigning each user's binding a counter having a value indicative of the amount of the purchased data-right combination. The subsystem is configured to decrease the value of the counter when the user uses the data-right combination and increase the value of the counter when the user purchases additional uses of the data-right combination.

In some embodiments, the usage tracking subsystem is configured to determine whether a request to use a data-right combination is valid by evaluating the value of the counter. If the value of the counter is indicative of remaining uses of a data-rights combination, the usage tracking subsystem determines that the user use request is valid. Otherwise, the subsystem determines that the use request is invalid.

In some embodiments, the usage tracking subsystem is also configured to generate information indicative of whether the request is determined to be valid or invalid.

In some embodiments, the usage tracking subsystem 620 is also configured to transmit to the purchase subsystem 610 information indicative of whether the request is determined to be valid or invalid. The purchase subsystem may be configured to allow the user to purchase one or more additional uses of the requested data-right combination in response to receiving information from the usage tracking subsystem indicative of an invalid user use request.

In some embodiments, the usage tracking subsystem is configured to determine if a request for data from a system user is valid or invalid. A system user is a user on the video editing system that is attempting to view data associated with another user. The data may be data that has been created by another user. For example, the data may be another user's photo album that has been marked private by the user. Additionally, the system user may be attempting to view a video created by another user but requesting data that is not included in the video.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method of operation of the usage tracking subsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention. The usage tracking subsystem tracks 710 usage of data-right combinations of one or more users. The usage tracking subsystem receives 720 information indicative of a user request to use a selected data-right combination. The subsystem evaluates 730 whether the request is valid or invalid. The usage tracking subsystem generates 740 information indicative of the validity of the request or generates 750 information indicative of the invalidity of the request.

In some embodiments, the usage tracking subsystem tracks usage of data-right combinations of one or more users by assigning a counter having an initial value to a user binding. The initial may be indicative of the amount of the data-right combination associated with the binding. The subsystem decreases the value of the counter when the user uses the data-right combination and increases the value of the counter when the user purchases additional uses of the data-rights combination.

In some embodiments, the usage tracking subsystem determines whether the request is valid by comparing the requested data-right combination to the purchased data-right combination. If the requested data-right combination has not been purchased, the request is invalid. For example, if the user requests to publish a selected .mp3 file but has only purchased audition rights for the .mp3 file, the request is invalid.

In other embodiments, the usage tracking subsystem determines whether the request is valid by evaluating the value of the counter associated with the data-rights combination to determine if any purchased uses of the data-right combination remain.

If there are remaining purchased uses, the usage tracking subsystem generates information indicative of the user's right to use the data-right combination. The video editing system server (not shown) may perform operations to transmit the data indicative of the requested data-right combination to a communication device at which the user is located for display of the data.

If there are no remaining uses of the data-right combination, the use request is determined to be invalid and the usage tracking subsystem may generate information indicative of the invalid use request. In some embodiments, the purchase subsystem sends information to the user requesting that the user purchase the data-right combination. In other embodiments, the interactive video for which the user is requesting the data will not publish.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a payment system including a purchase subsystem, a usage tracking subsystem and a security subsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention. Each of the purchase subsystem 810, the usage tracking subsystem 820 and the security subsystem 830 is configured to communicate with each of the other subsystems of the payment system. With reference to FIGS. 2, 6 and 8, In some embodiments, the purchase subsystem 810 and the usage tracking subsystem 820 are configured with the functionality of the purchase subsystem 210 and the usage tracking subsystem 620, respectively.

The security subsystem 830 includes a processor 832, memory 834 and computer code product including instructions stored on the memory and adapted to cause the processor, and thereby the security subsystem, to prevent access by a user to data when the user is not entitled to view the data.

In some embodiments, the security subsystem prevents access to data that a user requests when the usage tracking subsystem determines that the request is invalid as described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. In some embodiments, the security subsystem prevents access to data that a system user requests when the usage tracking subsystem determines that the data is data that has been created by another user and is marked private. For example, the data may be another user's photo album that has been marked private by the user. The security subsystem prevents access to data that a system user requests when the usage tracking subsystem determines that the data is not included in an interactive video created by another user that the system user is viewing.

In some embodiments, the security subsystem 830 of the payment system is configured to receive information from the usage tracking subsystem 820 when the usage tracking subsystem determines that a request is invalid. The information is indicative of the identity of the user and the corresponding data to which to prevent access.

In some embodiments, the purchase subsystem of the payment system is configured to receive a data-right request and create a binding. The usage tracking subsystem is configured to track the data-right combination use of one or more users. The usage tracking subsystem is configured to receive a request to use a data-right combination. The usage tracking subsystem is configured to determine if the request is valid or invalid. The security subsystem is configured to prevent access to the requested data if the request to the usage tracking subsystem is determined to be invalid.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method of operation of the payment system of FIG. 8. The purchase subsystem receives 910 a request for a data-right combination. The purchase subsystem creates and stores 920 a binding for the combination. The usage tracking subsystem tracks 930 the usage of data-right combinations for one or more users. The usage tracking subsystem receives 940 a request to use a data-right combination. The usage tracking subsystem determines 950 if the request is valid or invalid. The security subsystem prevents 960 access to the requested data if the request to the usage tracking subsystem is determined to be invalid.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a payment system including a purchase subsystem, a preview subsystem, a usage tracking subsystem and a security subsystem, each as described with reference to FIGS. 2-9. In other embodiments, the payment system includes the purchase subsystem and any combination of the preview subsystem, the usage tracking subsystem or the security subsystem. 

1. A system comprising: a server connected to a network; a first client communications device connected to the network, wherein the client communications device is in communication with the server; a second client communications device connected to the network, wherein the client communications device is in communication with the server; media storage connected to the server, the media storage including media elements that are used in a video production, the media elements including at least one protected media element that has rights data associated with the protected media element indicative of usage rights available for the protected media element; and production storage connected to the server, the production storage including a set of production instructions that define a video production that includes all or a portion of one or more of the media elements; the server comprises a video editing subsystem that is configured to: receive, from the first client communications device, selections indicative of media elements and commands indicative of how the media elements indicated by the selections are to be combined into a client video production, wherein the media elements indicated by the selections include at least one protected media element; send, to the first client communications device, data allowing temporary playing on the client communication device of the client video production based on the selections and commands received from the client communications device; send, to the first client communication device, data indicative of usage rights available for purchase through the client communications device of the at least one protected media element; receive, from the first client communication device, instructions for the purchase of a purchased usage right set including at least some usage rights available for purchase for each of the at least one protected media element; and send, to the second client communication device, data allowing playing on the second client communication device of the client video production; according to the purchased usage right set.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the server includes the media storage.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the server includes the production storage.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the server includes the media storage and the production storage
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the first communication device comprises a plurality of client communication devices.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the first client communications device comprises a graphical user interface.
 7. The system of claim 6 wherein the client communications device comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of: a personal computer, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a phone, and a video player.
 8. The system of claim 1 wherein the network is the Internet.
 9. A method using a server connected to a network, media storage connected to the server, the media storage including media elements that are used in a video production, the media elements including at least one protected media element that has rights data associated with the protected media element indicative of usage rights available for the protected media element, production storage connected to the server, the production storage including a set of production instructions that define a video production that includes all or a portion of one or more of the media elements, a first client communications device connected to the network, wherein the client communications device is in communication with the server, and a second client communications device connected to the network, wherein the second client communications device is in communication with the server, the method comprising: the server receiving, from the first client communications device, selections indicative of media elements and commands indicative of how the media elements indicated by the selections are to be combined into a client video production, wherein the media elements indicated by the selections include at least one protected media element; the server sending, to the first client communications device, data allowing temporary playing on the client communication device of the client video production based on the selections and commands received from the client communications device; the server sending, to the first client communication device, data indicative of usage rights available for purchase through the client communications device of the at least one protected media element; the server receiving, from the first client communication device, instructions for the purchase of a purchased usage right set including at least some usage rights available for purchase for each of the at least one protected media element; and the server sending, to the second client communication device, data allowing playing on the second client communication device of the client video production; according to the purchased usage right set.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the server includes the media storage.
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein the server includes the production storage.
 12. The method of claim 9 wherein the server includes the media storage and the production storage
 13. The method of claim 9 wherein the first communication device comprises a plurality of client communication devices.
 14. The method of claim 9 wherein the first client communications device comprises a graphical user interface.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the first client communications device comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of: a personal computer, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a phone, and a video player.
 16. The method of claim 9 wherein the network is the Internet. 